IKEMEN (ē´k´mɛn): Japanese Slang

"REALLY, REALLY, RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE"

Name: TERRY DOE

Occupation: PUBLICITY DIRECTOR @ SEVENTH HOUSE PR / ARTS CURATOR

1. Where are you from?

I was originally born in Ghana, but moved to NYC when I was nine, so I suppose I consider myself a New Yorker.

2. How long have you been in NYC?

Except for some excursions to the UK where I attended school and lived for a time, I have been in NYC about 18 years, or thereabouts.

3. What brought you to NYC?

Really out of necessity I suppose. My mum moved here from the UK, and I guess it was my duty as her son to follow.

4. When/How did you get started working at Seventh House PR?

Rather by a joyous coincidence. I woke up one day and decided I wanted to work in PR. This was back in 2005, when I had already had a small, dare I say, career as a classical musician. I grabbed my laptop, opened up to craigslist, and noticed Seventh House was hiring interns. I applied immediately, without a beat. Two weeks later, I was hired as a full-time employee. Of course, I have been in and out of Seventh House over the years, exploring the world and toying with different career paths, not least as a professional classically trained actor. But Seventh House has always been my home, and will forever hold a particularly special place in my heart.

5. How do you find new and upcoming designers now?

Boring! No, I shouldn’t say that. Firstly let me clarify that a majority of my time is spent working with lifestyle brands, although I do play a key role in working with designers. I mean I find it rather difficult to meet new designers who really dare to take unabashed risks. Not very many want to become innovators; tell their truth. And that can sometimes be a shame. That’s not to say that there aren’t young designers who are really true creators or dare to speak their mind by illustrating what’s in their soul. ALON LIVNE, for example, is a designer I find quite exciting. His current collection explores realms of visual art and architecture in extraordinary ways I have not witnessed from a young designer of late. I am also quite a fan of the designer Jerry Lorenzo of FEAR OF GOD. Not really up-and-coming, but I adore designers like J.W. Anderson, and Comme Des Garcon has always held a special in my heart. . One can never forget the legend Alexander McQueen. That gives an idea of the kind of designer I adore and savour. Designers whose collections make me feel something: excitement, uneasy, sometimes nervous, but still exhilarating.

6. What makes Seventh PR stand out from other PR agencies?

Most people already do know this about Seventh House, but it really is true that we are like a family. Sometimes a frenetic one, but one that sticks together no matter what; one that will walk through hell and back (definitely coming back) for each other and our clients.

7. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

I suppose perhaps a minor challenge is when, as a publicist, you do everything right to help promote a collection or client, and it at first doesn’t get the traction it rightfully deserved. But like I said, this is a minor challenge, and it is our job to come out guns blazing and think outside a million different boxes.

8. What is your greatest professional achievement?

I actually have two so far, and they have ironically been in the theatre. The first would be once calling myself a member of the Royal National Theatre in England as an actor. The second was working with Kim Cattrall in “Antony And Cleopatra”, directed by my mentor Dame Janet Suzman. In PR, although I have had some nice achievements, I am still looking forward to my greatest.

9. What are your career goals?

To be completely honest and candid, I am still happily defining my career goals.

10. What are some of your interests outside of work?

The theatre is my second home, and I try to spend as much time outside of work there as I can. The theatre is my little piece of heaven. When I want to be told the truth, that is where I go. I also do love a good book. James Baldwin. Shakespeare. Ian McEwan.

11. Where is your favorite place in NY?

I like to think and write, and I love the water, so I tend to spend some time at the park along the Hudson and West Side Highway.

12. What five words would describe you?

I had to ask my colleagues about this question. I find it strange to describe myself in only 5 words.

They came up with: animated, joyful, passionate, eccentric, charismatic.

13. What is one thing about you that might surprise our readers?

I am quite an open book. Anyone who truly knows me, knows just about everything about me. Including all sordid details. Hahaha.

14. Do you have any life-essential tips for our readers?

Take the road less traveled. It will make all the difference. 

INTERVIEWED BY MAKIKO ASADA

EDIT BY SUSAN SCHELL

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALINA GOZIN'A